Todd Christensen Obituary

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Former Raiders tight end and five-time Pro Bowl selection Todd Christensen died from complications during liver transplant surgery. He was 57.

Christensen's son, Toby Christensen, said his father died Wednesday morning at Intermountain Medical Center near his home in Alpine, Utah.

"I've been receiving hundreds of texts, Facebook postings and emails — from everybody with a story about my dad," Toby Christensen said.

After a stellar career at running back for BYU from 1974-77, Christensen was a second-round pick for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1978 NFL draft.

He was waived by the Cowboys after breaking his foot in training camp but landed the next year with the Raiders, where he played for 10 seasons at tight end and won Super Bowls in 1981 and 1984.

In 1983, he had 92 catches, setting the NFL record at the time for tight ends. He finished the season with 1,247 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns.

He broke his own record three seasons later with 95 catches. He finished his pro career with 467 catches for 5,872 yards and 41 touchdowns. He surpassed 1,000 yards receiving in three different seasons.

Christensen, at 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, never fit the Raiders' untamed mold. He was a thoughtful son of a professor, and even read his own poetry at a Super Bowl press conference. He later self-published three books of poetry.

Christensen played on four Western Conference Championship teams for BYU, catching 152 passes for 1,568 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 1992.

"He had great skill," BYU football Hall of Fame coach LaVell Edwards told the Daily Herald of Provo, Utah. "He ran the ball well and he caught the ball extremely well. He had excellent ability in all areas and those are the things that stand out."

Christensen was a color commentator for the NFL on NBC from 1990-94, and did color commentary for ESPN and the now-defunct MountainWest Sports Network before handling Navy games for CBS Sports Network in the 2012 season.

Christensen was a devout Mormon who didn't drink, and his family believes his liver problems started 25 years ago after a "botched" gall bladder operation, his son told The Associated Press.

A native of Pennsylvania, Christensen's family moved to Eugene, Ore., when he was a child and he became a standout at Sheldon High School. He was later inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.

Christensen is survived by his wife and four sons. The family was making plans for a funeral as early as Saturday at a local Mormon church ward house in Alpine.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Former Raiders tight end and five-time Pro Bowl selection Todd Christensen died from complications during liver transplant surgery. He was 57.

Christensen's son, Toby Christensen, said his father died Wednesday morning at Intermountain Medical Center near his home in Alpine, Utah.

"I've been receiving hundreds of texts, Facebook postings and emails — from everybody with a story about my dad," Toby Christensen said.

After a stellar career at running back for BYU from 1974-77, Christensen was a second-round pick for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1978 NFL draft.

He was waived by the Cowboys after breaking his foot in training camp but landed the next year with the Raiders, where he played for 10 seasons at tight end and won Super Bowls in 1981 and 1984.

In 1983, he had 92 catches, setting the NFL record at the time for tight ends. He finished the season with 1,247 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns.

He broke his own record three seasons later with 95 catches. He finished his pro career with 467 catches for 5,872 yards and 41 touchdowns. He surpassed 1,000 yards receiving in three different seasons.

Christensen, at 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, never fit the Raiders' untamed mold. He was a thoughtful son of a professor, and even read his own poetry at a Super Bowl press conference. He later self-published three books of poetry.

Christensen played on four Western Conference Championship teams for BYU, catching 152 passes for 1,568 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 1992.

"He had great skill," BYU football Hall of Fame coach LaVell Edwards told the Daily Herald of Provo, Utah. "He ran the ball well and he caught the ball extremely well. He had excellent ability in all areas and those are the things that stand out."

Christensen was a color commentator for the NFL on NBC from 1990-94, and did color commentary for ESPN and the now-defunct MountainWest Sports Network before handling Navy games for CBS Sports Network in the 2012 season.

Christensen was a devout Mormon who didn't drink, and his family believes his liver problems started 25 years ago after a "botched" gall bladder operation, his son told The Associated Press.

A native of Pennsylvania, Christensen's family moved to Eugene, Ore., when he was a child and he became a standout at Sheldon High School. He was later inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.

Christensen is survived by his wife and four sons. The family was making plans for a funeral as early as Saturday at a local Mormon church ward house in Alpine.

Guest Book Highlights

"Remember when we were young families in the El Segundo ward. We had some great times and a lot of laughs. Todd was always willing to help. He was there when our daughter married and when our son died. Thank you so much Todd and Kathy."- Robin Kichnet (Somewhere, MT)

"I wanted to say I was thinking of Kathy today and praying for her. When I saw her in the store the other day, I told her it gets easier after a year, because that is what others tell me and my mom, about my dad. Mom says it doesn't. However, a scar..."

"Please accept my sincere condolences on the death of your dear love one. “And no resident will say: I am sick…” Isa 33:24. This is a promise God has made known in his word. Perhaps one day in the divine future you or I may see again those fallen..." (GA)

"Our thoughts, prayers and fondest memories are with you. Todd was so kind and helpful always interested in the best good. Our deepest sympathy is there for you. You are dear always smiling, friendly and positive a sincere friend we love you."- Bryce and Michelle Flake (pleasant Grove, UT)

"My heart goes out to the Christensen family during this very difficult time. I didn't know Todd...but I am one of many in the Raider Nation that loved to watch him play. God speed to you all."- Valerie McFarland (Aiken, SC)